Anyone using MRA Next on a Android Tablet?

Ron Z

Thinking about putting an Android tablet on my bike for running MRA Next. I'll have the maps updated, be using it in offline mode, and will have all my routes synced with it.

Has anyone had any issues with this? I've read there were some problems with having the Transportation Mode set to motorcycle, so I've changed it to car.

I'm doing an extended weekend from SoCal to Arizona in a couple weeks and was planing to have MRA Next as my primary navigation tool. Is there any tips or tricks I should know about to ensure a good experience?

Thanks!

Lluis Arasanz

@Ron-Z

Although I'm not using a tablet, I know some friends that do it.

The tablet is as good as any phone to be used with MRa. You'll find same problems and benefits in a Tablet. Only be aware of: Tablet has LTE or will be connected to main phone for data?. Your power source has enough current to charge it? You support is strong to hold extra weight?

If all is answered as "Yes", the only thing you must do is "Enjoy it!!!"

Regards

Marinus van Deudekom

@Ron-Z I”m using a Thork racing rugged tablet. The T865X witch is a great tablet with 1300 nits screen. MRA runs flawless on it.

Guzzist

@Ron-Z it depends about type of tablet and type of bike - because of vibrations. I have destroyed 2 Smartphones in past, but now I have a T865-X rugged tablet from DMD2 (Thorkracing).
At first, it looks a bit expensive, but it's well constructed for military use. There is a navigation App on it, but you can install and use other Apps too, like MyRoute-App.

The screen is big enough to be able to read village/city names on map, in case of suddenly detour from your planned route; will help for orientation.
You can connect temote buttons on handlebar to zoom, or pan the map on screen. that's really really great!

And you can download maps for MyRoute-App about all regions you will drive - in forefront. So you can navigate offline. But you may use private Hotspot on your phone, to connect the tablet - then you can navigate instantly online.

That's all - have fun

Jörgen

I am using an Oukitel RT3 since 2 years without any problems. 120€ in Germany in the moment.

paul69

i am also using a Oukitel RT3 for around 2 years, and had no problems at all, some say the nits are not high enough, not sure what that means? think it's brightness and if I'm honest didn't really make any difference in my experience. I used it in all light conditions and wet and dry days, the battery lasted all day. it was not in a cover and fitted to a make shift mount.

At this moment, I am trying out the carpuride 702B, up to know its very good and have no concerns with it. It does everything that is expected of it. but of course this was not your query

Ron Z

I'll be using a ruggedized Samsung Galaxy Active 5 tablet, with a RAM case and ball mount that's quite secure.

Good to hear folks have good experience running MRA on their tablets! I do have CarPlay as a backup if needed, but I'm hoping I won't have any issues.

I'll be running MRA strictly in offline mode, and have all my routes sync'd and ready on the tablet along with updated maps. I was actually thinking of selling my tablet, but if all goes well, this will be my primary navigation device.

Marinus van Deudekom

@Ron-Z if you run MRA on a tablet you can use all the features. If you run it on CarPlay or Android Auto you miss a couple of them. Due to restrictions of Apple and Google so I think a tablet is the better chaise

Ron Z

@paul69 said in Anyone using MRA Next on a Android Tablet?:

i am also using a Oukitel RT3 for around 2 years, and had no problems at all, some say the nits are not high enough, not sure what that means? think it's brightness and if I'm honest didn't really make any difference in my experience. I used it in all light conditions and wet and dry days, the battery lasted all day. it was not in a cover and fitted to a make shift mount.

At this moment, I am trying out the carpuride 702B, up to know its very good and have no concerns with it. It does everything that is expected of it. but of course this was not your query

Along with the Android tablet, I also have a Carpuride W603D. I got it mainly for the front and rear cameras, but having CarPlay was an added bonus. I just don't like the restrictions that are put on CarPlay, when compared to the native apps.

So how is MRA Next working on your tablet, ant issues or concerns with using big routes or such on - this a MRA Next question, not a tablet one.

Marinus van Deudekom

@Ron-Z you can’t compare carpuride with the Thork tablet. Carpuride is not stand alone and only duplicates part of your phone’s screen. Due to the limitations by Apple and Google The rest, and in point of view important parts are blocked. So a tablet will always be the best choice. A tablet like the T865X certainly because of the 1300 nits screen witch is outstanding

paul69

hi @Ron-Z
@Ron-Z said in Anyone using MRA Next on a Android Tablet?:

So how is MRA Next working on your tablet, ant issues or concerns with using big routes or such on - this a MRA Next question, not a tablet one.

I have not ridden many long routes since summer 2024. but during that tour around northern Scottish highlands i rode around 2,500miles (4,000km) with some days circa 180miles, the next app worked perfectly every day with no strange detours or informing me that i had not passed certain waypoint when i had.
Every day i used offline maps and offline navigation. The tablet does not have a SIM card therefore no internet access except if using hotel wifi.
on one occasion i had to change the route for the following day, (on the advice of the hotel barman) i used the next app to amend the route, at the time the next app route planner was very new and the next day it performed flawlessly.
I have only positive recommendations for using the next app and a tablet.
I will try the carpuride this year around Ireland and keep the tablet as a back up. But for me and my experiences, there is nothing better than MRA.

Con Hennekens

@paul69, I agree. The native app will always be my preferred choice.

Marinus van Deudekom

@paul69 you could use your phone’s hotspot to get the tablet connected if you need live internet

Ralph Janssen

At this moment, I don’t see a useful use case for devices like Carpuride. I don’t see any added value over a dedicated Android device.
Tablets don’t have to be more expensive than CarPlay/Android Auto devices, and a tablet offers more functionality than CP/AA devices.

I have driven using my mobile phone (Samsung A32), and my wife has also used an Android phone.
Both were online, and I can only say that it was very nice to drive with MRA—no problems at all.

This weekend, I drove with a Doogee T20 tablet, which was fully offline.
In general, the experience was very good. However, the screen brightness could be better (higher nits). I could see the route, but it wasn’t very clear.

I encountered some issues where the route could not be calculated—once at the beginning, before the first waypoint, and once halfway through my route. Very strange, as I haven’t seen this issue before when navigating with my (online) phone. So, maybe it’s due to the GPS on my new device not being very accurate, or it’s related to using offline navigation.

But overall, I’m very happy with using MRA Next on an Android device, whether it’s a phone or a tablet.

paul69

@Marinus-van-Deudekom said in Anyone using MRA Next on a Android Tablet?:

@paul69 you could use your phone’s hotspot to get the tablet connected if you need live internet

hi @Marinus-van-Deudekom, yes i agree that is always an option, but for the last few tours i have only used offline and it has not caused any issues. in fact our riding buddies had their devices online and on the odd occasion their route changed slightly , nothing dramatic but a change all the same.

i do not need traffic updates and always seem to find my/our way back to the original route if there was a dreaded umlietung, which sometimes leads to a better route,

it's all part of the adventure.

Ron Z

@Marinus-van-Deudekom said in Anyone using MRA Next on a Android Tablet?:

@Ron-Z you can’t compare carpuride with the Thork tablet.

I wasn’t trying to compare them. I know CarPlay is restricted and I mentioned that.